Perplexity announces that Perplexity Computer can run locally on the Mac
IA en un minuto newsroom · Editor: Jon Elgezabal
In 30 seconds
Perplexity is taking its Computer agent into a mode that works entirely inside the Mac and, with permission, handles files and apps without uploading personal data to any server. Users choose between this mode and Hybrid Compute, which begins in the cloud, and can let the agent go online when a task calls for it. It needs a Pro, Max or Enterprise subscription, an Apple silicon Mac and, ideally, 36 GB of memory.
Perplexity now lets people use Computer, its AI agent that plans and completes multi-step tasks, fully locally on the Mac. The AI model, the agent and the running of the task all happen on the computer itself and, with permission, Computer can work with files and apps on the Mac without sending any personal data to the cloud. According to the company, this way users get more control over their sensitive data and over how they spend credits.
Perplexity first took Computer to local files and native Mac apps in May, with Personal Computer, and in September it introduced Hybrid Compute, which splits each task between reasoning by leading cloud models and local models that handle private information on the Mac. The new mode goes one step further and runs the whole task on the computer.
The Perplexity app for Mac now offers two ways to use Computer. Hybrid Compute begins in the cloud and combines search and reasoning there with local work on private files. The local mode begins on the Mac and keeps planning, reasoning and file processing on the device. When needed, the user can authorize Computer to move to the cloud to look up current information, use the browser or connected apps, and the local orchestrator can turn to one of more than 15 leading models for advanced reasoning. The company gives two cases: a portfolio analysis built on private holdings and downloaded market data can be done entirely on the Mac, while reviewing a deal that brings together current market research and confidential accounts can use Hybrid Compute.
Computer works with local files and with compatible apps such as Notes, Messages, Mail and Numbers. One of the examples Perplexity gives is going through recent conversations in Messages and Mail, spotting requests and deadlines, building an action list in Notes and preparing draft replies to be reviewed. Code and tools run in isolated environments, with access to files and connected apps kept under control, and the company says the same security measures apply in the cloud version of Computer.
The local mode is available to subscribers of Perplexity Pro, Max and Enterprise, in the Perplexity app for Mac and on compatible Macs with Apple silicon, such as the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro. Perplexity recommends 36 GB or more, and 9to5Mac specifies that this refers to unified memory. It comes with two local models to choose from, Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro, a version of Qwen with additional training by Perplexity, which are downloaded and set up from within the app. Hybrid Compute is still available in the same app, according to 9to5Mac. The announcement gives no pricing details.
Why it matters · analysis and opinion
Until now, putting an agent to work on a company's email, notes or accounts meant accepting that this data would pass through someone else's servers, and that step held back law firms, advisory practices and teams that handle confidential information. With the local mode, the decision about what leaves the computer goes back to the person using it, task by task. The price of that privacy is the hardware: it takes a Mac with plenty of memory, and for the most advanced reasoning the agent itself turns to cloud models, so demanding tasks will keep asking permission to go out. Before trusting it with client data, it makes sense to try it on routine tasks and check which apps it touches and what it writes in each one.
Official source: Perplexity · Written with the help of AI: how we make the news
